Besiktas Cola Turka

This is the second time in two years that Besiktas — a team that finished sixth in a Turkish league that is not considered one of the top divisions in Europe — landed and paid for a big time NBA star. Last year it was Allen Iverson, a future Hall of Fame player but a…

There is some logic to why Deron Williams would sign with Besiktas Cola Turka to play next season. For one, it puts some pressure on the NBA owners in the Collective Bargaining talks (although not that much). Williams is coming off wrist injuries at the end of last season and this would let him get…

And I want to drive a Maserati GranTurismo convertible… Ergin Ataman, the coach of the Turkish team Besiktas in Istanbul that has a deal in principle with Deron Williams in a real coup — one that has to get the clearance of international governing body FIBA still — plus has reached terms with Zaza Pachulia…

UPDATE 10:58 AM: Maybe we were wrong. Apparently Nets star Deron Williams does plan to play in Turkey if the lockout lingers, Marc Stein of ESPN tweeteed: Sources w/knowledge of Deron Williams’ plans confirm his intent to play for Besiktas in Turkey if lockout continues Multiple sources now confirm the story. The key part here is…

Allen Iverson is coming back to the United States — but not to retire as a Turkish news service had reported earlier. An MRI has found a very painful lesion on Iverson’s ankle and he is returning from Istanbul, Turkey, where he had been playing to the United States for surgery and medical care, his…

UPDATE 2:32 pm: Here is what we know for sure — Allen Iverson suffered an ankle injury in Turkey severe enough to have the team get him an MRI. The official statement from the team said they will consider their options when they see the results. If the results are bad, the report below that…

There were all sorts of bets and pools on how long Allen Iverson was going to last in Turkey with Besiktas Cola Turka. You will be giving your money to the people who thought he would stick it out. Robert Huber of Philadelphia Magazine went to Turkey and tracked down Iverson (via TrueHoop), coming back…

Well, it’s not even noon but we have our winner for weirdest story of the day locked up. My work here is done. You all remember how Allen Iverson is playing basketball in Turkey right now (and sitting the fourth quarters). Well that has apparently emboldened his Besiktas general manager to start approaching other NBA…

UPDATE 10:00 pm: Iverson on his twitter account denies these rumors, saying he is enjoying the experience and building good chemistry with his teammates. What else is he going to say? You can choose to believe whatever you wish here, the “answer” will come with his actions soon enough. 9:30 pm: What was the under/over…

We promise we will not be bringing you wall-to-wall coverage of Allen Iverson in Turkey. Even though when the European Turkish fans watch him jack up contested 15 footers ignoring the open guy beyond the arc, we want to see their faces. However, we do bring you this: The American basketball icon has landed in…

Last we heard, our dear friend Allen Iverson was negotiating a potential contract with Besiktas Cola Turka, an Istanbul-based team of the Turkish Basketball League. “Penalties” embedded in the contract were the reported hang-up between Iverson and Turka but something had to give for A.I. to play basketball in Europe next season, and give it…